What is the most miles/earliest year you would consider for a used Lexus sedan?

[Anonymous]

Want to spend up to $18K for a vehicle strictly for going to work and an occasional 600 mile trip to visit a parent. Is a 2008 or 2009 with around 100,000 miles too much wear to buy?

[Anonymous]

With the used market as it is, just finance a new one. It is totally senseless to buy used right now.

[Anonymous]

And new will get prime interest rate and have a warranty. Used is such a crap shoot. You really have no idea what you’re buying if it’s not from family or a family friend — or at least manufacturers certified at their own dealership.

[Anonymous]

Around 100k miles for a used Lexus shouldn't be an issue but the big variable is how well it was taken care of. A well-built Lexus owned by someone who didn't do the proper servicing can still lead to a lot of problems.

Buy one that has documented records of every service, and make sure they followed the manufacturer's recommended service schedule outlined in the owner's manual.

Try to buy one that has only had one or two owners.

Make sure to check the tires and factor current tire wear levels into the purchase price. Also, watch out for used car dealers that put brand new crap quality no-name-brand tires on the vehicle.

On the used sedan side, go with a Lexus ES.

[Anonymous]

I don't care that the used car market is hot - buying new is for suckers as the car depreciates thousands the moment it's driven off the lot. Buy a 3-4 year old Lexus coming off lease and it's still a good long-term bargain.

[Anonymous]

I would love a 1990 LS400

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care that the used car market is hot - buying new is for suckers as the car depreciates thousands the moment it's driven off the lot. Buy a 3-4 year old Lexus coming off lease and it's still a good long-term bargain.

Problem I find is that it will cost $30K for this. Why not just get a new Toyota and not worry about it being used? Understand it's not a Lexus, but still.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With the used market as it is, just finance a new one. It is totally senseless to buy used right now.

This. I would not trust a 2009 car on a 600mile drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care that the used car market is hot - buying new is for suckers as the car depreciates thousands the moment it's driven off the lot. Buy a 3-4 year old Lexus coming off lease and it's still a good long-term bargain.

Spending $18k on a 14 year old Lexus IS for suckers! A new Camry will be nicer and much safer.

[Anonymous]

You can get a much newer Avalon for $18k. It will be just as nice, and will last 200k miles no problem. They’ve just been discontinued and there are still deals to be had—even in this market. I posted in another thread that we almost bought a 2018 avalon limited hybrid with 60k miles for $23k. You can’t even get 3-year-old top trim camry hybrid for that price right now (they’re pushing $30k).

I think you’d be looking at a 2015 or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get a much newer Avalon for $18k. It will be just as nice, and will last 200k miles no problem. They’ve just been discontinued and there are still deals to be had—even in this market. I posted in another thread that we almost bought a 2018 avalon limited hybrid with 60k miles for $23k. You can’t even get 3-year-old top trim camry hybrid for that price right now (they’re pushing $30k).

I think you’d be looking at a 2015 or so.

Example: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=598283252&allListingType=all-cars&zip=28105&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&modelCodeList=AVALON&state=NC&city=Matthews&dma=&searchRadius=50&isNewSearch=false&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fall-cars%3Fzip%3D28105%26makeCodeList%3DTOYOTA%26modelCodeList%3DAVALON&clickType=listing

[Anonymous]

Paying $18G for a vehicle with 100,000 miles sounds insane right now, even for a Japanese brand.

But the used car market is pure chaos now…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Paying $18G for a vehicle with 100,000 miles sounds insane right now, even for a Japanese brand.

But the used car market is pure chaos now…..

I always buy used Toyotas with about 80k miles on them. Then I drive them for another 100k miles and sell them for a few grand. It's about the cheapest, least fussy way to own a car that I can come up with.

[Anonymous]

I bought a used lexus rx at 75k miles. It now has 200k miles with minimal upkeep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With the used market as it is, just finance a new one. It is totally senseless to buy used right now.

This. I would not trust a 2009 car on a 600mile drive.

I have an 08 xterra that went from the DC area to Fort Benning and back last Christmas and to SW VA this summer and additionally to Maine and back each year. No issues whatsoever. I do look after it though. Dealership checks regularly and all maintenance is done on time.